Grid

With a sleek look and smooth-running mechanics, GRID is a successful compromise of realism and arcade playability that offers a variety of racing activities within a consistent framework. While not all that innovative, the game brilliantly implements a race-saving instant replay function and incorporates a strong strategic element with its sponsor management.

There are plenty of other racing games on the market, but Grid captures the soul of the track like none other. The crashes are insane, the races are intense, the cars are coated with style and the overall presentation is just plain sexy. Although its car count is low, customization is limited and the repetitive dialogue grates a bit, Grid's stands out as a stylish but serious alternative to both hardcore driving simulations and over-the-top arcade racers.

Grid is certainly a successful progression of Codemasters' art. It may not feature the customisation of Forza 2, and it doesn't have the diversity of online modes found in Project Gotham Racing 4. But as an alternative to arcade racers such as Need for Speed and Juiced, Grid is an accessible and rewarding first step in what we hope will be an ongoing franchise.

The game has incredible arcade form, and I think the Flashback feature is one of the best new ideas we've seen come from this genre in a long time. This type of innovation is very encouraging and gives me hope that perhaps the automotive genre is not as stale as I might have thought. So, if you're in the mood for an absolutely delightful and fresh automotive experience, you owe it to yourself to pick up GRID!

With a new found freedom to take risks GRID sits up there with the mighty Project Gotham Racing 4 as a leader in the arcade-style racing genre. If you're bored of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's po-faced appearance and rigid driving model, look no further. Race Driver: GRID is tearing up the tarmac this summer without a challenger in site.

I can’t really praise GRID highly enough. Other than the omission of splitscreen multiplayer, GRID really is a superb and complete racing package. The graphics are excellent, made even more remarkable by the best damage modelling in racing to-date. The overall combination of damage modelling and physics makes for an addictive gameplay experience that truly varies from one race to the next, and it’s an experience which is made even more fantastic by the implementation of flawless online multiplayer. GRID is simply one of the best racers I have ever played.